A system services control point (SSCP) provides resource management and other session services for users in a subarea network.

To control and provide services for its subordinate nodes, an SSCP establishes sessions with the physical units (PUs) and LUs in those nodes. For example, before an LU-LU session can be established, the SSCP must use a directory of network resources to locate the partner LU. When the partner LU is located, the SSCP establishes an SSCP-LU session with that partner LU.